All year long we can discuss protecting your skin from the summer’s damaging rays, but when it comes down to it, sometimes we can’t help but bask in the sun…and end up paying for it later. I know that all too well when age spots decided to make an appearance on my forehead and under my left eye this summer (why just the left? I have no idea, but now I look stupid.) Here’s what my beauty blogger friends are loving for Fall skin care (and my 2 cents as well!)

Teri from Beautiful Makeup Search : As I spend most of my time outdoors in the warmer months, the fall is all about repairing the damage I did over the summer. I try to prevent as much as I can, but I can also use all of the help I can get. My newest fave that is starting to help repair my damage is Clinique’s Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle & UV Damage Corrector. Just three drops of this silky serum applied twice a day, is already helping my skin look better and brighter with each use. 

Nadine from Nadine Jolie: Anti-aging powerhouse cream StriVectin has just reformulated with more peptides, and so I think the extra anti-wrinkle protection is going to prove huge this fall. Plus: ta-da! It’s paraben-free.

Charu from BeautyStat.com: My most favorite skin care must-have is definitely Genifique, both the Youth Activating Cream and Serum!

Shannon from A Girl’s Gotta Spa!: I love Lierac Paris Micro-Abrasion. I love how my skin looks and feels after using it!

What is your must-have skin care product for Fall?

Don’t forget to Like A Girl’s Gotta Spa! on Facebook, talk to me on Twitter @agirlsgottaspa and subscribe to this beauty blog!

*Disclosure

I love beauty products, but don’t forget the beauty accessories! I’m talking hair dryers (can’t live without my Conair Infiniti Nano Tourmaline Ceramic hair dryer), skin care accessories, makeup accessories…you name it! Here’s some must-have beauty accessories for Fall from my fellow beauty bloggers (and myself!):

Aly from AlyWalansky.com: For me, it’s Crest 3D White Pro Effects Whitestrips. My income is super limited and yet, I’m expected to constantly smile for pictures and attend events, sometimes with just a few days’ notice! This really truly makes my teeth look whiter in one day – which is great, until I break out the wine!

Adina from Krasey Beauty: My must-have accessory is the Clarisonic, of course. It is a skin game-changer, a face fortifier, and a confidante to complexions everywhere. I use mine nightly for a massage and proper cleansing in one, and my skin glows for it. 

Julie from I Heart Heels: The Zeno is my go-to on the spot “facial.” It really keeps my skin clear (with one ingredient – heat!), and I’m really loving the new Zeno Hot Spot for fall because it’s so portable – and pretty!

Shannon from A Girl’s Gotta Spa!: Renée Rouleau Toning Cloths. I cannot live without these and if you have used them yourself, then you know that once you try them, you will never ever go back to using cotton balls or cotton pads! There is no lint, and these cloths are gentle enough to use on your face to remove makeup and apply toner, yet also strong enough to use when removing your nail polish. They are triple duty beauty!

What is your must-have beauty accessory?

*Disclosure

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You already know to use conditioner as shaving cream and lotion as eye makeup remover; you learned from us yesterday that oils, balms, color sticks, and face wipes are your new dynamic duos. But what about less common multi-tasking products?

Veronica Mayo, a former airline executive and founder of Vemayca, a line of cosmetic bags, offers this pro tip: “Concealer works as a eye lid primer. Apply on the eye lid and smudge darker color into cease of the eye–requires that you bring only one eye shadow.”

You can also buy products that combine things for your convenience. Check the list below for likely pairings like foundation plus concealer and less-expected duos like brow mousse and root-coverup. 

1.) Foundation + Concelear = Luxury Swiss beauty brand La Prairie’s Skin Caviar Concealer, which boasts a bottle of foundation with SPF 15 with a lid that houses a color-coordinated concealer. ($180)

2.) Hand crème + Lip balm = Votre Vu’s Duette (pictured), a summery-scented duo that includes a decadent almond-and-coconut hand lotion on the bottom with a deeply moisturizing coconut-flavored lip balm with UV filters in the cap. ($39)

3.) Hair treatment + Shaving cream = ESPA Pink Hair and Scalp Mud, perhaps the oddest couple of the bunch. The pink-colored mud is an intensive hair and scalp treatment that protects hair from chlorine, sun, and pollutants when applied to wet or dry hair (the pink tint is so faint it’s chic). In the shower, it’s a thick shaving cream. ($65)

4.) Shoes + Tote = CitySlips, foldable ballet flats whose ingenious pouch unfolds to a tote for your high heels—or your souvenirs. In black, gold, and silver, the slippers are hardy enough for site-seeing but small enough to carry as backup. ($24.95)

5.) Exfoliating scrub + Moisturizer = LUSH Buffy Body Butter, a combo that sounds like an oxymoron but is actually a solid body butter bar combing cocoa and shea butters, mixed with ground rice, almonds, and adzuki beans for exfoliation. Since it’s a solid, it’s easy to throw in a carry-on. ($11.95)

6.) Sunscreen + Moisturizer + Anti-Aging = FAB 5-in-1 Face Cream from First Aid Beauty, a science-heavy but lotion-light formula that filters UVA and UVB rays with an SPF 30, moisturizes, prevents and reduces fine lines and wrinkles, corrects uneven skin tone, and combats free radicals. ($38)

7.) Face wash + Toner + Moisturizer + Tin = Dr. Hauschka’s Daily Face Care Kit, which includes six tiny tubes of an entire skin regime. Perfect for gals who don’t want to skip out on an ounce of their daily pampering: Cleansing Cream, Cleansing Milk, Facial Toner, Moisturizing Day Cream, Rose Day Cream, Quince Day Cream. ($24.95)

8.) Undereye night cream + Day cream + Fine-line eraser = The Socializer Pen from Elizabeth Grant. Celebs Blake Lively, Jessica Szohr, Leighton Meester, Ginnifer Goodwin, and Kristin Bell love the dual-sided pen—Bright Lights for the morning, Late Nights for the evening—that hydrates, de-puffs, and erases dark circles. You can also click the pen onto the forehead area, marionette or smile lines, or any unwanted crevices for an illuminated finish that virtually erases their appearance. ($40)

9.) Facial cleanser + Bubble bath = Belletaré Crescendo Cleansing Gel, an eco-friendly cleanser, makeup remover, bubble bath, and shave gel. The healthy, natural gel contains ingredients like acai pulp oil, kokum seed butter, and Monoi de Tahiti butter rolled up into recycled packaging. ($4.50)

10.) Eyebrow mousse + Root cover-up = Blinc’s Fountain of Youthful Color Eyebrow Mousse, a concoction invented to tint, fill in sparse areas, and tame brows like a gel. Because the mousse doesn’t fade, run, or smudge, even if you sweat or wear it in harsh weather conditions, some women use the eyebrow mousse to cover up roots between salon visits. ($25)

Guest post for A Girl’s Gotta Spa! by Lyssa Myska Allen, editorial director at EndlessBeauty.com.

I have 4 sons. My oldest is 11 and my youngest is 3. While I may not have any daughters I can dote on when I get a new MAC lip gloss or Zoya Nail Polish, my boys still very much enjoy reaping the benefits of all of my lotions, sugar scrubs, shower gels, soaps, shampoos and conditioners. Right now they are quite fascinated by my LiQWD bottles, however just the other week my son Brody (the 3 year old) used my Renee Rouleau Luxe Mint Cleansing Gel as shampoo and my LiQWD shampoo as handsoap. He liked the minty smell of Renee’s cleanser and told me it made him feel clean. I agreed, it does do that…on your face, not your hair.

We have a routine every night that before our “family time” (ie. watching movies together on Netflix with a snack), the kids get showers. I was cleaning the kitchen when I realized that they all seemed to be taking much longer than usual. Plus there seemed to be an awful lot of giggling going on. Upon the boys exiting the bathroom, I discovered that they simply were doing what mom sometimes takes for granted…enjoying using a variety of beauty products.

This was how I found the bottom of my tub (exactly–I didn’t move a thing): 

What do we have here? Redken Time Reset, Pureology AntiFade Smoothing Shampoo & Conditioner, Lierac Paris Micro-abrasion, Artemis Woman Gem Therapy Body Polish, Organix TeaTree Mint Conditioner, Danielle & Company Aloe & Ivy shower gel, Renee Rouleau Luxe Mint Cleansing Gel, LiQWD Volumizing shampoo & conditioner, Peter Llamas Soy Hydrating shampoo & conditioner, ARROJO Gentle shampoo & conditioner, Wei East China Clay Herbal Purifying Masque, Dove soap and PCASkin Creamy Cleanser.

Despite how many products you see here…and yes I certainly do need that many shampoos and conditioners (can you relate?!)…this was only a small portion of what is in my shower.

How many products have you been known to keep in your shower at once? (And shower…not the bathroom entirely because that is a whole other story here!)

I love skin products that are made from natural and organic ingredients, and MotherNature has long been one of my go-to sources to turn to when looking for cosmetics, skin care products, and aromatherapy. The skin care lines they offer are filled with wonderful, naturally fragrant creams and washes that help take care of your skin and leave you feeling fresh and clean.

I’ve had some experience with quite a few of their products, but one of my recent favorites is this Avalon Lavender skincare toner. Lavender is such a fresh, summer kind of thing, and of course summer is the time when you really need to work on keeping your skin exfoliated and polished. It works better than any other commercial toner I’ve tried, and it’s also vegan and gluten-free.

*Guest beauty post for A Girl’s Gotta Spa! (sm) from my friends at TheFind.com.

5 days of fantastical giveaways and I had to make sure I ended it with something awesome. Since my focus has been on looking younger, why not give away some anti-aging products from Lierac Paris? Tomorrow is my birthday after all and I’ve been taking a walk down memory lane. I hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know me a little bit better.

Now you cannot laugh at this photo of me. I was in 11th grade here (1991) and obviously felt I was made for modeling. I was oblivious to my caterpillar eyebrows or my teased out mullet-like pouf of a hairdo. This picture made it into the “fashion centerfold” portion of my high school yearbook. Also? Just in case you didn’t notice, I had a “tail” that I bleached blonde and put colored beads over. Oh I was rockin it.

Contest details:

What you have to do:  Leave me a comment telling me what your anti-aging skincare regime consists of.  (Smack on the hand if you don’t have one at all! Shame shame!)

Optional, but we really would like it: Like Lierac Paris on Facebook and follow them on Twitter. And pretty please Like A Girl’s Gotta Spa! (sm) on Facebook and follow A Girl’s Gotta Spa! (sm) on Twitter as well.

Prize: Cohérence Serum, Cohérence Day Cream, Cohérence Night Cream, Cohérence Nutri, Cohérence Eye Cream, Cohérence Neck Cream and Cohérence Lip Cream.
Retail value: $417

Contest dates: Friday August 20th-Monday August 23rd at 11:59PM EST. Winner announced on August 24th. Winner chosen at random.

Legal jargon: Contest only open to legal US residents 18+. Only one entry per person total. Lierac Paris has provided the prize to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! (sm) for free for this giveaway. No purchase necessary to enter or win. No cash or product substitutes will be given. I can cancel this contest at any time without notice.  You give me permission to use your name in the winner announcement post.  Contest is void where prohibited.

Are you ready? On your mark, get set…GO!

Psst. Don’t forget about the Redken Time Reset, philosophy eternal grace, Purple Lab and Exuviance Age Reverse giveaways!

(This is me when I was 18 and a freshman at Rhode Island College. Oh to look this young again!)

This is my most favorite picture of myself taken exactly 18 years ago this month. I remember taking this picture too, I couldn’t wait to embark on the next chapter in my life. I was full of hope and ambition. That part of me hasn’t changed at all, but what has changed are the wrinkles, brown spots and sagging skin that have shown themselves as I continue that trek towards middle age. (Thanks mom for reminding that I am only 4 years away from that season in my life!)

For a few weeks now I have been using some new anti-aging products from NeoStrata called Exuviance Age Reverse, which I felt was the perfect fit for a giveaway this week. Want to look younger with me? Let’s go!

Contest details: 

What you have to do: Leave me a comment telling me the age at which you felt your skin looked its best and why.

Optional, but we really would like it: Like NeoStrata on Facebook and follow them on Twitter. And pretty please Like A Girl’s Gotta Spa! (sm) on Facebook and follow A Girl’s Gotta Spa! (sm) on Twitter as well.

Prize: Exuviance Age Reverse introductory collection: BioActiv Wash, Day Repair SPF 20, Night Lift and Eye Contour.
Retail value: $68

Contest dates: Thursday August 19th-Monday August 23rd at 11:59PM EST. Winner announced on August 24th. Winner chosen at random.

Legal jargon: Contest only open to legal US residents 18+. Only one entry per person total. NeoStrata has provided the prize to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! (sm) for free for this giveaway. No purchase necessary to enter or win. No cash or product substitutes will be given. I can cancel this contest at any time without notice.  You give me permission to use your name in the winner announcement post.  Contest is void where prohibited.

Are you ready? On your mark, get set…GO!

Psst. Don’t forget about the Redken Time Reset, philosophy eternal grace and Purple Lab giveaways! Why am I having giveaways this week? Because I turn 36 on Saturday and I am trying to avoid being depressed about it!

I promise you, this week will not let you down in terms of giveaways! Next up is philosphy’s newest fragrance, eternal grace.

(This is me as a baby. On the right, I’m 1 year old and on the left I think I am about 10 months old. Yes my friends, 4 kids of my own later, and those rolls still remain.)

eternal grace is a youthful and uplifting scent. And quite frankly, turning 36 means I would really like to regain some of my youth back. One of my favorite things about the philosophy brand is the quotes on their products. Have you ever really read them? They’re pretty inspirational.

Contest details:

What you have to do: Leave a comment telling me your favorite philosophy product and quote.

Optional, but we would really like it: Like philosophy on Facebook: www.facebook.com/philosophy and follow them on Twitter @lovephilosophy. And you can’t forget me of course, www.facebook.com/agirlsgottaspa and @agirlsgottaspa

Prize: philosophy eternal grace 2 oz. fragrance spray and eternal grace 16 oz. shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath.
Retail value: $62

Contest dates: Tuesday August 17th-Monday August 23rd at 11:59PM EST. Winner announced on August 24th.

Legal jargon: Contest only open to legal US residents 18+. Only one entry per person total. philosophy has provided the prize to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! (sm) for free for this giveaway. No purchase necessary to enter or win. No cash or product substitutes will be given. I can cancel this contest at any time without notice.  You give me permission to use your name in the winner announcement post.  Contest is void where prohibited.

Are you ready? On your mark, get set…GO!

Psst. Don’t forget about the Redken Time Reset giveaway!

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For as long as I have been a beauty blogger I have sung the praises of beeswax in skin care products. Their moisture and skin healing retaining properties are bar none. Beecology recently sent me their Original Honey Hand & Body Cream to test out and I was not disappointed at all with the results. Especially when they had a lot to live up to after many people tweeted me on Twitter that they adored their products!

Beecology’s Original Honey Hand & Body Cream has zero fragrance, and while I am one who LOVES scent in my body lotion, I recognize that not everybody does. Beecology simply lets the product speak for itself. The cream is just the right consistency, not too thin and not too thick. It absorbs rather quickly, so quick in fact, that I felt like my skin just sucked it in. It’s not greasy, which is always big points for me. The best part is that you don’t need much, so a little goes a long way. I know sometimes people who have dry skin believe the more they layer on the moisturizer, the more effective the results will be…but your skin can only absorb so much! 

Another bonus are the other ingredients in this hand and body cream: olive oil and shea butter. Awesome emollients that will replenish your skin and save it from the depths of dry skin hell.

Have you tried this moisturizer or any other products from Beecology? Please let me know in the comments! You can find it at www.Beecology.com.

*Disclosure

In the hot summer months, when you’d like your beauty regime to be as simple and lightweight as possible, sometimes it ends up being the complete opposite. The harsh sun requires some hardcore SPF, while the constant heat calls for some serious moisturizer. Then of course you need your usual concealer, foundation, powder, bronzer and what-have-you, depending on how high-maintenance your normal beauty routine, but let’s face it — summer beauty should be easy, lightweight yet pretty, and if possible, a single-step process! Enter tinted moisturizer — the perfect 3-in-one product for keeping skin soft, protected, yet also presentable! 

Yes, I know that such product “consolidation” sounds risky for girls who require a bit more coverage to get them out the door and comfortable in the public eye, but hear me out. Tinted moisturizer may give you a bit more coverage than you think, providing complexion-evening tone for your subtle trouble spots and laying a lightweight base that, if needed, allows you to go back with your favorite concealer for those areas that need a bit more help. You may be surprised how much better your face looks and feels almost-naked!

From left to right: Stila Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer, Sephora Collection Perfecting Tinted Moisturizer, Hard Candy Sheer Envy Tinted Moisturizer, Chantecaille Tinted Moisturizer, and Perricone MD Tinted Moisturizer.

- Alex Gambardella

Save on Tinted Moisturizers at Ulta from TheFind.com’s coupon site.

*Guest beauty post for A Girl’s Gotta Spa! (sm) from my friends at TheFind.com.

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